"Let's see..." Anna's words trailed off as she seized up the pile of materials stacked on the counter. Today, she looked very different than her carefree self. Her impression was focused, attentive, and diligent. Even her smile seemed dim.

In front of Midnight's curious gaze, she reached out and picked up a pelt. Then she stretched it before bringing it close to her eyes. She carefully studied it, not missing a single tiny detail.

Meanwhile, she constantly mumbled, "Good tensile strength, uniform fur coverage, dense and thick strands, but modest shine. The Horned-Rabbit must have lacked a bit of nutrition.

"Passable skinning. Very good for the first time. However, the pelt was damaged on the limbs. The head is missing. Needs cleaning and tanning..."

At the end, she put the bloody pelt to her nose and inhaled deeply. It was a mystery as to what she could judge by the scent. Yet, this action somehow left Midnight with a deep and striking impression. He felt like he was watching an elderly soldier who was tending his rifle. The whole performance was careful, measured, and infused with profound purpose and aim.

This eerie 'examination' continued until every hide, horn, tail, and paw was thoroughly assessed. In the meantime, Midnight was already dripping in sweat and felt rather nervous about the imminent outcome of Anna's evaluation.

She is indeed Bernard's daughter! She didn't lie when she said she had been tending the store since a young age.

However, the way her expression didn't falter at all creeps me out. This robot-like concentration is mesmerizing yet terrifying. This is not simply a matter of experience. You can already describe it as talent! Yes, she is just a young girl, but she is not even slightly repulsed by the blood!

She doesn't seem to mind the puddle formed on the counter. And it is even dripping down to the floor!

Sigh, I am still too naive, too innocent. I can't even compare to a 17 or 18-year-old lady. This is the true appearance of a professional that I strive for. I need to learn from her and improve...

Midnight was pondering and re-evaluating himself when he heard Anna finally saying, "Good job. I will buy everything."

Slightly surprised, he looked up and saw her freckles-clad face beaming at him with a genial smile. This average-looking girl, who possessed a radian disposition, was already out of her trance. She waved at the pile of goods and happily chirped, "Our store is willing to purchase all of your harvest. For those four Horned-Rabbits and the single mature Hog-Pog, I can offer you a total of 9 scops and 1 knopp. Of course, after I reduce the 2 scops and 1 knopp you still owe me, it will come to exactly 7 small copper coins. What do you think?"

What do I think? I don't even know the marketing value!... Midnight ruminated over the price as his brows subconsciously furrowed, but soon they relaxed, and he said, "Deal."

It wasn't that he believed in Anna's honesty. Instead, he believed in himself. His intuition told him that someone willing to provide him with items while waiting for a postponed payment wasn't one to harp on small profits and cheat.

Of course, this could be her marketing strategy. Risk a small loss for huge return profits. I may soon become a big customer of her store.

Heh, but it is unlikely.

If I don't sell in the General Store, I have to pay a visit to different craftsmen and trade with them independently. My earnings will be a bit higher, but it is too time-consuming and bothersome. They don't have fixed schedules and often go out to harvest materials themselves...

Still, this reminds me that I should find time to check on the craftsmanship association in the eastern borough. I may even apply for a membership later...

Many thoughts flashed in his head in a second, and Midnight smiled and added quite honestly, "Thank you. It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"Oh, no need to be so formal with me." Anna waved her hand, her ears reddening slightly. Then she peeked at the half-ling and sheepishly muttered, "Most outsiders are rude, but you are a very kind person. Besides, the materials you brought are really in an excellent state. I can see that you took great care in harvesting them. Even some Lesottians often bring pelts in worse quality..."

Am I a kind person? Midnight suddenly felt guilty. Just a moment ago, he was covertly calculating the chances of Anna being a profiteer. He never expected to be labeled as a kind guy. Lady, are you perhaps falling for me? What is that blush on your cheeks and your ears? Where did the serious demeanor of a pro go, and how did you suddenly become a bashful young maiden?

Please, don't make me a criminal! I may look like a youngster, but I am nearly 25 years old. And you are at most 18! No, that's not right. Right now, I look to be around 12 or 13. You are the criminal here!

Somehow, Midnight had suddenly found himself in a third-rate contrived romance story. One that was definitely featuring something illegal!

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Well, I guess, she is of this type of age. She seemed to yearn to use magic. The sense of mystery of an outsider magician must be attractive. Unfortunately for you, I am not interested in such matters at all. Romance is the least of the things stacked on my head. It's not just because you are a native. With my disposition, I likely will die single.

Anyway, I did some research, and I am already aware that quite a few young men in Lesotte are aiming for you. Of course, I suspect it's most likely not because of your looks, but your father's lucrative business. So give up on those flittering feelings as soon as possible, please...

Feeling amused and a bit guilty, Midnight pretended to see nothing. He silently nodded at her and changed the topic by asking, "I want to buy a new inventory bag. Erm, can you please tell me the general prices?"

Anna heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly nodded her head. "Of course. We have two types of bags here. The ones worthy of 3 nickels can hold up to 30 liters and have a 50% reduction in weight. Those that can hold 60 liters and have a 70% weight reduction cost 25 nickels or more. It depends on the design."

Cough Cough

Midnight sucked in a breath and his saliva went into his airway. He choked from the shock.

"A..are you ok? Do you want a cup of cold water?" Anna was startled and asked, ready to jump and pose as a savior.

Cough

"No, cough, I am fine." Waving his arms, Midnight tried to ease her tense nerves as he cussed in his head, 3 nickels! How many rabbits have to die for this bag!!! He didn't even consider the more expensive bags that she sold. Instantly, he found Matilda's books cheap in comparison. He had the urge to run to her Bookstore, prostrate himself on the ground, and apologize for his past misgivings and thoughts!

How can a bag cost that much? How can it be more expensive than the embodiment of knowledge itself?!

If he hadn't staggered to the General Store half-dead under the weight of his bag, he would have already cast away all thoughts of purchasing a new one.

Damn it, no matter the cost, I absolutely need to buy one with more reduction in weight. Otherwise, how am I supposed to survive?! My strength and stamina are already borderline dangerous. If my bag is full and I stumble upon monsters or players, I can only leave it and run for my life. Then, I won't only have wasted my efforts, time, and precious materials, but I will still have to purchase a new one! The outcome would be one and the same!

Experiencing the viciousness of reality, Midnight forced himself to calm down and expressed his understanding, "I got it. I will work hard!"

"Haha, yes, working hard is important. I wish you good luck." Anna chuckled, her short blond hair swaying a little. Then she opened her mouth to ask him a question, but her words were interrupted by the sound of his bracelet.

Ring-a-Ling Ring-a-Ling

Midnight looked at her with an apologetic look on his face and bid her goodbye. Then, he pocketed the seven copper coins with the utmost care and left the small store. Outside, he glanced at his bracelet, and seeing the word 'Mom', exhaled softly and took up the call. "Hi, mom. Why are you calling me at this hour?"

Right now in Euclex was late afternoon on the 6th day. In reality, this corresponded to nearly midnight on Tuesday 23rd of November. It was a weekday and his mother should have already gone to sleep, resting for her early work on the next day.

"Heh, you began gaming and already forgot about your old mother!" Chizuru Katz scoffed and looked at her son through the video call. He looked like a younger version of himself, immature and weak. But his complexion seemed better. Then she glanced at his long ears sticking perpendicular to his head and saw his expression turn sour.

"No need for such bullshit. With your Asian ancestry, you don't look a day older than 30!" Midnight rolled his eyes and refuted her words. He knew that she was just joking. His mother was probably worried about him and decided to check. With this matter behind, he said seriously, "I am doing quite well. As you can see from the background, in Euclex, the days don't make me sluggish or drowsy. And I haven't had seizures as well."

At the same time, he had a thought pass through his mind. Time flows differently, yet the calls connect fine. Is the AI adjusting my perceptions right now? I wonder how I look from Mom's pov. Am I speaking like a bullet machine, or is there nothing wrong even if seen from the outside?

Chizuru didn't notice the profound question her son was mulling over and said, "That's good. Anyway, I called you to remind you of your counseling session tomorrow. Doctor Muller will visit your home around 4 in the afternoon. Don't you dare to skip it! Believe me, even if she doesn't say anything, I have plenty of ways to know if you did!" Chizuru narrowed her black eyes, scrutinizing her son. She wouldn't miss anything if he tried to play smart and fool her with lies.

Exasperated, Midnight giggled and waved his hand as if to diffuse his mom's suspicions and anxiety, "Don't worry, I won't. Besides, it will be nighttime in the game. I promise you to humor her for a while. However, I can't sweat that I won't fall asleep in a couple of minutes. Her voice is my bane! Anyway, my mental state is better than always." He smiled to show her he was speaking the truth.

Unable to sniff out any sense of pretense, Chizuru was slightly relieved. She and her husband had done plenty of research regarding Euclex. After she had found out that many people complained about the realistic deaths in the game, she nearly plucked her husband's eyebrows in worry. He was to blame if her son had a depression relapse! If that were to happen, not only his brows but all the hairs on his body would suffer this fate.

She opened her mouth, thought for a second, and closed it. She decided to believe in her eyes and not to probe Midnight for now. After all, with her son's character, he would probably stay silent or wiggle his way out using some sophistry.

After about seven more minutes of sharing tidbits and gossip, the close came to an end.

Sigh

Midnight exhaled and rubbed at his temples. He wasn't surprised by this call. He even suspected that unless his mom kept his dad on a short leash, he would soon be calling as well. Their care warmed up his heart, but, similarly, stifled him too. Perhaps this was the fate of the handicapped.

What Chizuru didn't know, however, was that her call had made Midnight steel up his resolve even more. Through Euclex, he would push open the rusty door of his cage and prove to everyone that he wasn't as vulnerable, hopeless, or powerless as he seemed.

But for this, I first need to earn coins and purchase better items. Indeed, as that famous song says: Money makes the world go round...He once again felt his poverty striking him from an ambush.